The 11th Circuit’s remand of Georgia’s voter roll purges is a victory for Georgia and for democracy. Common Cause Georgia is encouraged with the news of our voter roll purge case against Secretary of State Brian Kemp. Our state should not be using random criteria to remove legally registered voters from the voter rolls.

The American public must have confidence in the leadership of Census Bureau to ensure everyone is counted accurately. Public outrage met reports that Thomas Brunell would be named deputy director, a slot that does not require Senate confirmation, but that he would in fact lead the Census. The controversy was well founded. Brunell’s controversial background as an academic who regular testified in support Republican gerrymanders would have politicized the national headcount.